The Niles Festival of Lights and Parade, which for many Fremont residents signals the start of the holiday season, will take place next Friday, Nov. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. starting at the Sullivan Underpass on Niles Boulevard and continuing to J Street.

With about 55 parade entries, the 14th annual event will feature new floats, horses, bands and a series of cartoon characters to interact with the children. This year the tap dancing Christmas tree will return to the parade, after serving in the Macy”s Day Parade last year.

The streets will close around 4 p.m. and the tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m. with the parade starting at 6:30 p.m.

This year the Fremont Police Officers Union is decorating the Christmas tree in blue and gold, said Marie Dear, a Niles Merchants Association member. It will be lit a member of the Fremont City Council since Mayor Bill Harrison will not be in town.

She said that there would be a “very good number of people,” saying she was not sure how many people would come depending on the weather. More than 10,000 people attended the festival last year.

“It is a kickoff of the holiday seasons and gives back to the community,” said Dear.

This year, Hattie Hughes, owner of Fremont Bank will be the grand marshal of the parade, as her bank is celebrating its 50th year in Fremont.

Stores and restaurants in the area will be open for business, and there will be a lot of dressed up characters and fun things to do for children, Dear said.

The band “Hot Rods” will be performing Christmas and rock songs live during the parade.

As has been a custom, a Santa Claus will be on the last unit to come through the parade and he will get off the float and go into a little tent that will be set up with a mosaic to look like there is a fireplace and big window with Frosty the Snowman outside. He will listen to children”s wishes for Christmas, hand out candy and take pictures.

Dear said this also marks the start of the Christmas Open Houses in Niles, where residents open their houses and give out hot chocolate and cookies.

The festival is entirely donation run, and this year helium balloons will not be part of the parade.

The parade is put on by the Niles Merchants Association, and the main sponsor is Legacy Real Estate & Associates. Other sponsors are Fremont Bank and Niles Electric.

Admission is free for this family event.

For more information or to donate to the Festival of Lights and Parade, visit nilesmerchants.com.